The Asian players in the 2023 NBA Summer League and the teams they signed to play for 2023-24 (Juzang, Sotto, HyunJung, Hepa)

There were four Asian players in the 2023 NBA Summer League games.  3 players previously played in NCAA and one was on a G-League roster.

 

Johnny Juzang

In the 4 summer league games in Las Vegas, Juzang average 17.8 points per game on impressive 53% shooting and 52% shooting from three.  The Utah Jazz resigned Juzang to a two-way contract.  Allowing Juzang to either play in the G-League or the main club, Utah Jazz.

 

Kai Sotto

Sotto was signed by the Orlando Magic summer league team.  Sotto wasn’t given a chance to play until the second to last game.  In this game he had a strong performance with 6 points and 3 blocks.   Unfortunately, Sotto left early in the next game due to back problems.   Immediately after Summer League, Sotto flew back to the Philippines to play for his home country in the 2023 FIBA Championships in his homeland.   The Philippines home game set the FIBA record for most fans in attendance with 38K spectators.

No NBA teams signed Sotto.  But he still has a contract with his previous pro team in Japan,  Hiroshima Dragonflies.  Kai has missed the start of the Japan league due to his ongoing back problems.

 

 

Lee HyunJung

Lee played for the Philadelphia 76ers in 3 summer league games in Salt Lake City and Vegas.  He wasn’t given much minutes averaging 13 mins per game and 4 points/game.   HyunJung shot well in the time he was given, 3/6 on three point attempts and 4/7 overall.  Lee later signed with the Llawarra Hawks of the Australian professional basketball league, NBL.  Lee is getting regular minutes coming off the bench for Llawarra, https://nbl.com.au/player/130770/853129/hyunjung-lee

 

Kamaka Hepa

Hepa played for NCAA Hawaii Warriors before signing with New Orleans Pelicans for the Summer League.   In 3 games, Hepa scored 6 points and made all his field goals.  He is currently a free agent.

https://youtube.com/shorts/9BdsxTiYE8U?si=VefMkLsgonEAOMS2